Cramps, especially in the feet, are really annoying. When the recurrence of these cramps in the feet increases, then they are termed as chronic cramps.
My otherwise sound sleep was disturbed last night due to an excruciating and unrelenting pain in my left foot, it was a cramp! The pain was unbearable, and I was not able to move my dear victim foot. I tried moving and adjusting it in various positions and directions, but the pain was just not ready to subside.
After around 5 minutes, when the cramp was finally gone, I was able to sleep peacefully. But the thing that was making me worry was the recurrent episodes of these cramps.
After every ten nights, there it would be again. What causes these spasms, I wondered. I knew only one reason - that there is something wrong with the muscle function of the feet. But there are also plenty of other causes that can cause chronic cramps in the feet. Let's get into the details of the same, along with some preventive techniques too.
Causes
A foot cramp is defined as an involuntary muscle contraction that does not relax quickly, and is accompanied by pain. When the body is in motion, that is, when we move our limbs or walk, there is a synchronized contraction and relaxation of the muscles.
When this contraction and relaxation of muscles is disturbed, the muscle ligament contracts abnormally, and a muscle spasm occurs. A spasm in severity results in a foot cramp. When in a cramp, the flexible muscles are hardened which causes pain. Foot and toe cramps are a very common problem in adults, and majority experienced it especially during the night.
Sometimes, children also experience cramps. The common causes are as below:
An Overworked Foot: Yes, tiredness and fatigue in your feet due to high physical activity can make you experience foot cramps.
Poor Blood Circulation: Another prime reason is poor blood circulation. The foot lacks enough oxygen supply due to poor blood circulation, leading to cramps.
Inadequate Water: Not drinking enough water (2 liters a day) leads to dehydration, which indirectly means inadequate supply of water to the muscles, and eventually cramps.
Lack of Essential Minerals and Vitamins:Deficiency of important minerals and vitamins like potassium, iodine and vitamin D in the body, is also one of the chief reasons for the occurrence of chronic cramps.
Flat Feet:The human foot has an arch at the center portion of the feet, which prevents the feet from touching the ground.
When the feet base touches the ground, the condition is called 'flat feet syndrome'. This syndrome generally occurs either because the arch never developed or has collapsed. With flat feet, there is an increase in the pressure on the foot base, which leads to chronic cramps in the person.
Medications:Certain medications can also cause cramps. Water pills or diuretics are necessary for the patients of glaucoma, high blood pressure, etc., to increase the urine output. The overuse of these diuretic medicines can cause chronic cramps, since the essential potassium and water is thrown out of the body.
Medications for treating diseases like Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and asthma can also result in muscle spasms in the patient.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women are also prone to foot cramps, as the pressure due to the uterus causes abnormalities in blood circulation, leading to muscle spasms.
There is also a decrease in calcium and potassium levels during pregnancy, which as we had seen earlier is a reason for chronic cramps.
Other minor things that can cause chronic cramps are - change in hormone levels, drug abuse, leg injuring, doing physical activity that one is not used to, excess and daily alcohol consumption, exposure to environmental toxins, etc.
Prevention Measures
Cramps - though they cause no long term harm, and go away on their own, may make you face some tense moments, if their occurrence is chronic. Certain diet changes and home remedies thus should be adhered to, to prevent the repeated occurrences of foot cramp.
As lack of essential minerals, vitamins and nutrients is the reason behind chronic cramps, the importance of a diet rich in all these nutrients increases manifold. You should keep yourself well hydrated, as lack of water in the body can cause cramps. Also stay away from health vices like alcohol and smoking, for the best.
When you are in between the cramp, keep your foot in the normal position or move it in the opposite direction of the cramp pain. Massage your foot daily, this will improve the blood circulation and the cramp pain will subside. If the cramp stays for a longer duration, the intake of the prescribed medications will prove beneficial.
In case of recurrent occurrence of foot cramps, treat your feet with some moist heat therapy or soak them in warm water for at least 3 times a week. Consult the doctor if they persist for longer durations, and the home remedies are not working.
Cramps generally are experienced in the night and may disturb your good night's sleep. Otherwise they are innocuous and cause no harm!